Temp Enclosure for Part of Basement

Temp Enclosure for Part of Basement · 04-01-2009, 07:50 PM

I have all my tools in my basement, with the WWing tools in a back quarter. Last time I used the bandsaw, I noticed dust went everywhere.

My simple solution is to enclose the tool area (roughly 12' x 16') using 4 mil plastic sheeting. I plan to nail wood strips to the floor joists on one side and staple the plastic to the strips. On the other side, I can staple the plastic along a single joist. The side and back walls of the basement complete the "box."

I plan to leave one end of a sheet plastic wall free to use as a door. I will overlap the corner of the sheet plastic walls for a better seal. The bottoms of the sheet plastic walls will be stapled to wood strips, for a better seal against the floor. I hope to come up with some contrivance to roll the plastic walls up when not in use.

Any pointers to improve my design?

Gotcha6 · 04-01-2009, 08:00 PM

Roll them up on a wooden shaft or a piece of conduit (PVC flexes too much) with a string or cord & pulleys attached to both ends like the grass mat shades you see on people's porches. Be sure & get some kind of air filtration going in there. You're going to concentrate that wood dust around you, and you'll also create an explosion potential with the right spark of flame.

Mike Davis · 04-01-2009, 08:26 PM

Dust collector!

If you get one good enough, you won't need the plastic.

CaptnA · 04-01-2009, 08:43 PM

amen to the dust collection
Keeping dust from places you don't want it will keep it where YOU are.
Tools that break wood down the most greatly increase the hazard. Think surface area. A board vs the same weight in wood chips vs the same weight in ultra fine dust.
I weighted the bottom of my plastic when I did a similar thing. I rolled up the plastic around a 1x2 and stapled the plastic to it. Kept it from 'flapping' and moving around.
Try to eat a teaspoon of cinammon. If you've never seen it tried its a hoot. I haven't seen anyone do it yet. Now imagine putting that dust into your lungs. You can find a video of people trying it on youtube if you're not game to try it yourself.

LeftyTom · 04-01-2009, 09:00 PM

Mike, I got the DC. But I was using a ZCI on my bandsaw. My bandsaw light is the HF $12 model, but I could see the dust just a flying. I wear a respirator as an extra precaution.

I already have grounding wire run thru my DC hose, and grounded to my tablesaw, bandsaw, and DC.

Thanks, Dennis. I kept turning the "how to lift it" in my mind, but using smalll pulleys had not dawned on me.

Teaspoon on cinnamon, you say?

Andy, there are quite a few clips on Youtube of those attempting the feat (only one successfully that I saw).

Gotcha6 · 04-01-2009, 09:08 PM

Thanks, Dennis. I kept turning the "how to lift it" in my mind, but using small pulleys had not dawned on me.

I know you've seen these somewhere, just didn't pay attention.....
The pulleys go on the joists at the ends of the plastic.
The shaft is 4-6" longer than the plastic is long at each end.
The strings are wound up on the shaft when the plastic is down, and as you raise it, they unwind the string and wind up the plastic. You'll need to wind the string on opposite the direction the plastic is wound and some sort of cleat or hook to put the string onto when the plastic is wound up.
Try & find some venetian blind cord or get braided masonry cord from the BORG.

LeftyTom · 04-01-2009, 09:19 PM

Will I have to turn in my man-card if I use some pink landscaping twine Carla has?

I have a Y for the DC hose that allows me to run 2 1/2" hose to the top of my bandsaw. I just gotta get it put together, once I get the hose clamps from Rockler.

I have the Penn State tablesaw combo blade guard w/support arm the doubles as DC duct. This arm is 2 1/2". The 2 1/2" support goes to 4" hose which goes about 5' to my PT-style separator, then 10' to the 1hp DC. When I turn the DC on, it sucks in the sides of my separator (plastic trash can). I do not have this problem when using the separator w/my bandsaw, jointer or planer. The hose sections for the jointer and planer are less than 5' long to the separator and to the DC. I made sure the intake on the separator was properly positioned against the wall of the trash can. What is going with here?

Dudelive · 04-01-2009, 09:53 PM

I would think that the separator would work better if as close to the dust collector as possible, using the shortest pipes possible. If the intake to the dust collector is 4" then use all 4" hard pipe where possible. Only use flex where you absolutely have to and as short as possible. If using flex of 2 1/2" then that may cause a problem. Others on here will know more than me so wait and see.